Credit: Imago

Exclusive: Gary O'Neil in contention to be next Birmingham City manager

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Published on:

24 Oct 2025, 2:30 am

Gary O'Neil is a top contender to replace Chris Davies as the Birmingham City manager, sources have told Football Insider.

Davies is under growing pressure from the club’s owners after a disappointing start to the season.

Sources say that Birmingham have a firm interest in ex-Wolves and Bournemouth manager O'Neil and that he is in the frame to take over, should under-fire Davies be dismissed.

The Blues currently sit 13th in the Championship after 11 games of the season, and are already 10 points adrift of table-toppers Coventry City.

Davies is under pressure (Credit: Getty)

Gary O'Neil could return to management

Sources say that the period between now and the next international break is critical for Davies in terms of keeping his Birmingham job.

The newly promoted side face Bristol City, Portsmouth, Millwall and Middlesbrough before the two-week hiatus in the middle of November.

If Davies does get sacked, then O'Neil could be in line for his first management role since being sacked by Wolves.

The 42-year-old was dismissed by the Midlands-based club back in December 2024 and was replaced by Vitor Pereira at Molineux.

Birmingham owners demanding Premier League

Last month, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Birmingham owner Tom Wagner had jetted into the UK to watch the side with Davies under pressure.

Wagner jetted into the UK (Credit: Getty)

Wagner and the rest of the club’s hierarchy attended draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Wrexham.

Sources say that the Blues owner visited the dressing room after the game against Wrexham and made it clear to the squad that they are expected to achieve automatic promotion.

The hierarchy at the club believes that the heavy investment over the past two summers has given Davies a side that can reach the Premier League.

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